All my Friends are in Popular Bands
About a week-and-a-half ago the Govenaires officially opened their 80th Season. The Govenaires are the oldest competing Drum and Bugle corps (consecutive years) in the world. As many of you know it has been my privilege to be a part of this group for the past three years.
2007 Recruiting Video
This year I have decided to leave my semi-comfort zone with the guard and enter the world of the horn line. Some people have been a little shocked by this and it is kind of difficult to explain. I love the guard. Performing is finally becoming a little better for me and technically I know I’m much better than I was 3 years ago. However, part of me knows that I cannot move to the next level. I know I will never be graceful, nor do I “perform” that well. (smiling has never been a strong suit, you can ask the pom pon group I did in jr. high) There are so many reasons, but that is basically the root of it, plus I just miss marching. So I started teaching myself how to play Baritone in October, made my public debut in December, and attended my first rehearsal as a horn member the first weekend in January.
I entered that rehearsal full of excitement and extreme nerves. On one hand, I know most of these people and they all support this decision. (some more than others) I know that no one expects me to be any good at this point. I expect more from myself than others do. It’s just unknown territory for me. How do I hold the horn? How do I use valve oil correctly? How do your hands hold this thing? When will my arm stop hurting? When will I finally be able to hit that note? (always a changing question) These were the thoughts going through my head as the first rehearsal approached.
Thanks Guse for teaching me the right way to oil the valves
This is what I can say now. I feel better. I like the new horns although they make me quite nervous as far as hurting them goes. The notes are getting better and each day I practice I feel a tiny bit better. I know it will be slow going, but I also know that I will put 100% of myself into becoming the best I can.
I'm the Tone third from the right, with the bad horn angle (I'll fix that)
I’m sure there will be many more posts about the season this year, but I just kind of wanted to get you all up to speed on my switching etc. The next post about it won’t be so serious. (or long)
As I type the temperature is 1 degree, wind chill –15 degrees.
Comments
I'm still impressed by anyone who can get sound out of a brass instrument!
As I write this, it's 52 deg outside (brrrrrr!!!!). What's a "wind chill"? (Been in CA too long.) :)
Posted by: Dad | January 17, 2007 05:05 PM
Maybe someday I'll be able to play the old bugle on the piano!
Posted by: Jenniffer | January 18, 2007 12:34 PM